When Worlds Collide

18th Annual Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Now in its 18th year, the Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival offers 25 films on timely topics, including environmental activism, health care, indigenous rights in the Americas, prisons, and women’s issues. Many events are facilitated, and in some cases the filmmakers are on hand to discuss their work.

Thurs., Feb. 15

All Governments Lie

Music

Mavis Staples

Time for truth

By Carey Ross

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

In this world, there are legends—and then there’s Mavis Staples.

Sure, “legendary” is the descriptor that’s most often applied to the longtime gospel singer and civil rights activist, but it doesn’t quite do her justice. More than just a legend, Staples is a force of nature.

First, Staples is part of a musical dynasty. She’s part of the famed Staples Singers, which, led by her father, Roebuck “Pops” Staples, and rounded out by siblings Cleotha, Yvonne, and Pervis,…

Outdoors

Special Delivery

A damp tramp to camp

Story and image by Trail Rat

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Ever since my old trail crew buddy and his business partners in Gold Bar decided to acquire an abandoned gold mine deep in the remote defiles of Eastern Snohomish County a few years ago, I’ve found myself drawn into a Promethean progression of arduous undertakings to help improve and maintain the infrastructure attendant to their claim.

I don’t do it for gold. I do it for outdoor adventure. It’s the perfect excuse to perform invigorating feats of manual labor in a restorative…

Food

Green Scene

Dining downtown sustainably

By Lauren Murphy

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Dining out may not seem like a green way to spend an afternoon, but it can be. There’s no reason to forgo chowing down for the environment’s sake. As an eco-conscious, food-loving Bellinghamster, I want to share my go-to green tips for enjoying Bellingham’s bustling food scene.

Eat Local. The term “food miles” refers to the distance comestibles must travel to reach our plate. Higher food miles mean a bigger carbon footprint due to the CO2-emitting trucks carrying the…

Words

The Newcomers

A refuge for refugees

Reviewed by Mary Kinser

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

The refugees arrive with nothing, not even the language, having escaped violence, poverty, unspeakable loss. Their destination is Denver, Colorado. There they will land in a classroom helmed by Eddie Williams, the teacher tasked with orienting refugees from around the globe to their new home in the United States.

Mr. Williams will teach English, yes, but also survival skills that are critical to transition. This is the Newcomers class, a Denver Public Schools program designed to…

Best of Bellingham

Best Band

The Wednesdays

Music scenes, including ours, have traditionally been boys’ clubs—but the Wednesdays win in this category is a welcome indication of a change that has been a long time in coming. Unabashedly feminist and unapologetically political, the Wednesdays are making music with a message—and people are listening. With a motto of “Dismantling the patriarchy by day, playing basement blues punk by night,” coupled with an electrifying live show, the Wednesdays are making their mark and making it count.

In Print

The Gristle

POWER PLAY: The Trump administration’s war against renewable power escalated this week with a proposal to sell off the transmission assets of Bonneville Power Administration, the great engine of hydroelectric power to the Pacific Northwest and—notably—Whatcom County heavy…

Alan Rhodes

Poughkeepsie, New York is of crucial importance to the preservation of civilization. This is, of course, because Poughkeepsie is the home of Marist College, which every December publishes the results of a poll that determines the most annoying word of the year. The 2017 winner, for the…